| Aloe pearsonii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. pearsonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe pearsonii | |
Aloe pearsonii (Pearson's Aloe) is a very distinctive and unusual species of aloe, that is naturally endemic to the arid Richtersveld area on the border between South Africa and Namibia.
Aloe pearsonii is often considered part of a group of southern African "Creeping Aloes" ( Mitriformes ) [2] together with closely related species Aloe perfoliata , Aloe arenicola , Aloe meyeri and Aloe dabenorisana . However, other botanists believe it to be closer to the "Climbing Aloes" ( Macrifoliae ). This unusual plant would be an outlier whichever series it was classified into, and is probably a "missing-link" intermediate between the two series. [3]
The name "pearsonii" remembers the botanist and first director of the South African National Botanical Institute, Professor Pearson. [4]
This aloe grows a clump of rigidly erect stems, that are covered in four highly symmetrical rows of thick re-curved leaves. In the dryer months the plants are red, while during times of rain the leaves fatten and turn blue-green.
Pearson's aloe flowers in summer, and especially in January–February, producing a multi-branched inflorescence covered in bright red or yellow flowers. [5]
Of all the aloes, this species is the slowest growing. In spite of this, plants have been found in the wild with heights of over 2 meters. Such individuals are believed to be several hundred years old. [6]
This aloe occurs in groups in sandy patches of the rocky Richtersveld mountains. It is found in some of the hottest and driest parts of this area. Rain is very rare, and generally only during the winter months. It is possible that the plant receives some moisture from the mists that periodically sweep the mountainsides.
Aloe pearsonii formerly occurred in dense stands prior to 2010 and classified as Least Concern on the South African National Biodiversity Institute's Red list of South African plants. [7] However, severe population declines occurred between 2015-2020 due to an extended drought throughout its range, with declines of more than half across all subpopulations, and due to this species' very low recruitment, it is now considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Suitable habitat for this species is predicted to decline by 80-100% by 2080 due to climate change. It is also threatened by habitat destruction from livestock farming and consumption by livestock and native herbivores due to overgrazing of other food plants. [1]
Aloidendron dichotomum, formerly Aloe dichotoma, the quiver tree or kokerboom, is a tall, branching species of succulent plant, indigenous to Southern Africa, specifically in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, and parts of Southern Namibia.
The Richtersveld is a desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains, situated in the north-western corner of South Africa’s Northern Cape province. It is full of changing scenery from flat, sandy, coastal plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which forms the border with neighboring Namibia. The area ranges in altitude from sea level, to 1,377 m (4,518 ft) at Cornellberg. Located in the north-western side of the Northern Cape province in South Africa, the Richtersveld is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth and the majority of the area is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List due to its cultural values.
Aloe peglerae is a small, stemless South African aloe. This unique succulent plant is classed as an endangered species. The species was listed by CITES as an Appendix II species, requiring special trade protections to prevent the further endangerment of the current wild population due to the plant trade.
Aloe marlothii is a large, single-stemmed Southern African aloe of rocky places and open flat country, occasionally growing up to 6 m tall.
Gonialoe dinteri, the Namibian partridge aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is native to arid areas of Angola and Namibia.
Aloe erinacea is a rare species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe, from arid areas of Namibia.
Aloidendron pillansii, formerly Aloe pillansii, the giant quiver tree or bastard quiver tree, is a large, branching species of succulent plant indigenous to southern Africa. It is regarded as critically endangered.
Aloidendron ramosissimum, formerly Aloe ramosissima, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is endemic to the Richtersveld at the border between South Africa and Namibia, where it grows on desert slopes and in ravines. Its common name is maiden's quiver tree.
Protea comptonii, also known as saddleback sugarbush, is a smallish tree of the genus Protea in the family Proteaceae. It is found in South Africa and Eswatini.
Namaqua National Park is a South African national park situated approximately 495 km north of Cape Town and 22 km northwest of Kamieskroon. It has an area of more than 1300 km2. The park is part of Namaqualand, an area covering 55,000 km2 located within the semi-desert Succulent Karoo biome. This biome is a biodiversity hotspot with the largest concentration of succulent plants in the world. The park also has an arid environment with succulent plants. The park was created to protect its flowers. During the spring, wildflowers bloom there in a spectacular fashion. The park's main tourist attraction is this abundant spring bloom of brightly coloured wildflowers.
Astroloba rubriflora is a succulent plant found in the mountainous Karoo area around Robertson, South Africa. It is listed as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN global Red List.
Aloiampelos commixta is a flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is commonly called Table Mountain aloe, and is a rare succulent plant that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. It naturally occurs only on the Table Mountain range, within the city of Cape Town.
Aloiampelos ciliaris, formerly Aloe ciliaris, the common climbing-aloe, is a thin, tough, rapidly growing succulent plant from South Africa.
Aloiampelos tenuior, formerly Aloe tenuior, the fence aloe, is a bushy, multi-branched succulent plant from the grasslands and thickets of the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga, South Africa. Its preferred habitat is sandy soils in open country, unlike many of its relatives that favour thicket vegetation. It is one of the most profusely flowering of all aloes and their relatives.
Aloiampelos gracilis, formerly Aloe gracilis, the rocket aloe, is a succulent plant, endemic to dry thicket vegetation around the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Its natural range lies just to the west of the related Aloiampelos ciliaris, and it occurs in bushy fynbos and dry thickets, and clustered on rocky outcrops at all altitudes. Its range extends westwards into the Baviaanskloof mountains.
Aloe perfoliata, the rubble aloe or mitre aloe, is a hardy creeping aloe, found in rocky, mountainous areas throughout the Western Cape, South Africa.
Aloiampelos, formerly Aloe ser. Macrifoliae is a genus of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae, comprising seven species found in Southern Africa. They are typically multi-branched climbing or sprawling shrubs, with long spindly stems and a large woody base on the ground. These characteristics, as well as their soft, narrow, triangular leaves whose lower part ensheathes the stem, make them easy to distinguish.
Aloe arenicola is a spotted creeping aloe, indigenous to the arid west coast of South Africa.
Aloe ser. Mitriformes is a taxonomic series within the genus Aloe, comprising several closely related species of Southern African rambling aloe. These typically multi-branched sprawling aloe species have rigid fleshy leaves and slender pedicels about the length of the perianth, each being roughly 40 mm long. The stems tend to sprawl along the ground, with the ends densely leafed and upturned.
Aloe pretoriensis, is a species of Aloe found discontinuously in northern South Africa, eastern Zimbabwe and eastern Eswatini. It occurs in rocky grassland at generally higher altitudes. It is not threatened, but human-induced declines have occurred in the Bankenveld region of Gauteng. It flowers in winter and is pollinated by insects and birds. The pointy flowers are carried on elongated racemes on a decidedly tall and branched peduncle. They have a tight rosette of erect, pale green leaves, which are quite thin compared to other Aloe species. Drying leaf tips turn reddish.
Media related to Aloe pearsonii at Wikimedia Commons